Inmate Silvester Calixto (Full Name: Silvester Martinez Calixto) Died Following Medical Emergency At Galveston Jail
GALVESTON COUNTY, TEXAS (November 25, 2023) - A 53-year-old inmate identified as Silvester Calixto has tragically died in-custody at a Galveston jail.
Galveston officials are saying that the incident began on November 2. Silvester Calixto was admitted to the hospital due to an unknown medical condition.
He remained at the hospital for over two weeks where his condition took a turn for the worst. Sadly, on November 17 Silvester Calixto was pronounced dead by medical staff.
His medical cause of death listed in his in-custody death report was identified as “Sepsis E. Coli Bacteremia.” A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Galveston Inmate Deaths
Thousands of inmates die in custody each year. The overwhelming cause of in-custody deaths involve medical conditions such as sepsis. According to Sepsis Alliance, “Most strains of E. coli are harmless but some strains can make you very sick and can cause sepsis. Sepsis, which was often called blood poisoning, is the body’s life-threatening response to infection. Like strokes or heart attacks, sepsis is a medical emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment.” There are a number of signs that an inmate may be ill from sepsis.
- Inmates with sepsis may experience a fever or hypothermia.
- Inmates with sepsis may have an elevated heart rate.
- Inmates with sepsis may experience rapid breathing as their body tries to compensate for decreased oxygen delivery to tissues.
- Inmates with sepsis may show signs of confusion or disorientation.
All inmates have a legal right to receive adequate care for all of their health conditions. When a jail is deliberately indifferent to the serious medical needs of an inmate, this could form the basis of a constitutional claim. With respect to sepsis, one of the main ways that a jail could contribute to an inmate dying from sepsis is failing to get them prompt care. There are many other ways that a jail may contribute to an in-custody death.
- Correctional officers may ignore what an inmate is telling them about their own health.
- Correctional officers may fail to get an inmate regular checkups.
- Correctional officers may fail to transport an inmate to the hospital when they need more extensive care.
Jails are often quick to label in-custody deaths as natural. But this designation can often be highly misleading. Many “natural” jail deaths often involve inmates who are relative young. In many situations, had they gotten better care they may still be alive. The family of any inmate that died in-custody may have legal recourse through a civil claim. A civil rights attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating Galveston Inmate Deaths
We at Scott H. Palmer, P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the family of Silvester Calixto. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. The sheer number of in-custody deaths across Galveston County and Texas this year remains deeply alarming.
Do you need more information about a Galveston County inmate death? Our team of civil rights attorneys are here for you. We are committed to helping inmates and making sure that they are aware of their rights. When any inmate dies due to medical neglect, we fight to make sure that the jail they were staying at is held accountable. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any incident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 214-987-4100.